Page:The Rosciad - Churchill (1761, 2nd edition).djvu/5

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THE

ROSCIAD.

Roscius deceased, each high aspiring play'rPush'd all his int'rest for the vacant chair.The buskin'd heroes of the mimic stageNo longer whine in love, and rant in rage;The monarch quits his throne, and condescends 5Humbly to court the favour of his friends;For pity's sake tells undeserv'd mishaps,And their applause to gain, recounts his claps.Thus the victorious chiefs of ancient Rome,To win the mob, a suppliant's form assume; 10In pompous strain fight o'er th' extinguish'd war,And shew where honour bled in every scar.
But though bear merit might in Rome appear,'Tis not the strongest plea for favour here,
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